A simulation of plasma motion in the polar ionosphere
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Authors
Deist, David W.
Subjects
NA
Advisors
Cleary, David D.
Date of Issue
1994-09
Date
September 1994
Publisher
Monterey, California. Naval Postgraduate School
Language
en_US
Abstract
A model of plasma motion in the polar ionosphere is presented. Plasma motion due to polar convection and corotation above 500 N is modeled. The universal time (UT)-dependent corotation electric field (in the geomagnetic frame) is added to a polar convection electric field that is UT-dependent in the geographic frame and the total is displayed in both reference frames. To simulate actual magnetic conditions, varying polar convection patterns may be used by the model we have developed. Trajectories of single plasma parcels and regions of plasma are calculated. The calculated trajectories are displayed in the geographic and magnetic inertial reference frames. The model developed is applied to the study of a region of electron depletion near the pole, a polar hole. Changes in the size and location of the polar hole are explained in terms of a changing convection pattern. The results of this thesis are being used by the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to further study ionospheric plasma motion.
Type
Thesis
Description
Series/Report No
Department
Organization
Naval Postgraduate School (U.S.)
Identifiers
NPS Report Number
Sponsors
Funder
Format
51 p.
Citation
Distribution Statement
Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.
Rights
This publication is a work of the U.S. Government as defined in Title 17, United States Code, Section 101. Copyright protection is not available for this work in the United States.